Post med blues

[reluctant]

I hate to be a wet blanket but after the months of looking to leave the meds behind, I finished tx two weeks ago and I feel like ****. In some ways, I actually feel worse than I did during the therapy. I am a geno2 and finished the 24 weeks with each week becoming more difficult, especially with low white blood cells. By the end I was a head to toe itching monster with way too much riba rage, no energy and plenty of confusion.During the last two weeks, post meds, I developed headaches, dizziness and a garden variety of other weirdness. The itching has become worse rather than better. The only noticable improvement is that I am sleeping better. I know two weeks isn't a lot of time but I wonder if anyone else would consider labeling post-med syndrome as "withdrawal"

I am trying to be upbeat here but after hearing others talk of radical improvement post meds, I am in a funk. What has this stuff done to my body? It is especially frustrating because before therapy I never suffered from any Hep symptoms whatsoever--other than doctors freaking me out with doomsday predictions of what might happen in the distant future.

[scruffy]

Hey, don't feel alone! I did 48 weeks of tx and it has taken 7 months to get back to normal(at least as normal as I ever was). Others who have done 24 weeks I have heard say it took them 3 or 4 months to recover. Some people feel much better pretty fast and some take longer. Your body was saturated with potent meds and it takes time to get them out of your system. You will improve as time passes-hang in there-the sun will rise again!
Frank

[layla]

It took at least a month for me to notice any difference being off tx. I also felt worse for a bit but it did get better. Hold on, it will happen. It was 6 months post tx for me to feel really good. Hang in there. LL

[Honey15637]

I hear ya!  Just finished 2 weeks ago myself.  I'm finding out,,,its not an instant feeling great.  I have noticed more energy day by day.  I also do not feel achy and like I have flu anymore and in the mornings on tx,,,I always was nauseated...That is gone,,,Smells are back more so and my head does feel a little clearer but definitely not what it was.  On the other hand,,,I also broke out skin rash really bad last month of tx and now am so itchy,  That has been my downside of coming of tx. I was sleeping good through the night,,, end of my tx and now am wide awake at night.  Don't know,,,if its because of a  year of hibernation and now I'm ready to take on world or what but would like to get a good night sleep.  For me,,,its slow and gradual but,,,,We will get there....I guess just patience!  Good Luck to your post sides!

[ringeding]

hey there reluctant.....first, congrats on getting to the finish line...way to go kid.....cut yourself some slack, in no time, you should be feeling reallly good, but it does take time, different for everyone, but at least a month anyway to clear some of the toxins out....rememeber to keep up your water intake for awhile...at 9 months post tx i feel INCREDIBLE....my hope for you is that you will feel better with each day.  it took some time for me to see a difference, maybe a month...hang in there dear

hey honey....wow congrats on the finish line as well sweetie pie.....glad you are beginning to feel better.....huge hugs to you.....all the best

hugs
kimmy

[britgirl]

Do get your thyroid tested; it could be that which is making you feel so bad. Sometimes thyroids go wrong right at the end of tx.

[jevs2]

Hey Ms Thyroid:)

Are you in Brazil yet?
I am back working as a nurse now and loving it!
Best wishes
Joanna.xx

[DRAGON SLAYER]

I'm sorry to hear about your misfortunes post-Tx. I have had HCV-2b & am  post-Tx nearly 10 mths. Like yourself, I had a tough time in the early stages after Tx but as time went by all my Sx seemed to fade away. Now, except for depression, I'm fine & am being treated  by psychotherapy & AD's.
Pls hang on since the hard part is behind us......& from experience we all know that time is the best healer. I'm sure that you have killed that dragon & your post-Tx symptoms will disappear just as the dragon has.

Good luck to all,
Ben

[Amerabrit]

I'm sorry you're having a hard time post TX.  Just give yourself some time as TX effects all of us differently.  You will start to recover, bit by bit and day by day.  Are you still drinking enough water?  Perhaps we should be drinking even more now than when we were on TX?  The sooner we flush those meds right out of our bodies, the better we should start to feel.
Hang in there and many contratulations upon completeing tx:)

[britgirl]

Glad you're enjoying being a nurse again. We leave for Brazil on Tuesday; can't wait! I am taking 7 months supply of Thyroxine with me, so I really am Ms Thyroid!
All the best to you and your daughter

[Honey15637]

Hey Kimmy....Thanks for the congrats and great to see you here.  Ya know,,,you really got me through some tough times on tx with your humor,,,Early in my tx,,,when I was trying to get used to the meds and many times feeling down,,,your posts would have me laughing so hard at times!  You are so much fun!  Hope you are feeling great these days and enjoying life and your daughter!!

[doll face]

I finished 72 weeks of tx the first of November, and am just now starting to feel better. The first week I felt great....them bam the sides hit me hard . I even asked my doctor to put me back on the meds cause I thought  for sure I had relapsed. I believe that this is most definately a type of withdrawl.

The good news is even though you may not belive it now, it does get better. Some of these lucky folks get to do it a little sooner than others but we will get there.

I do agree with Britgirl though you should have your thyroid checked. Mine blew out half way through tx and I had to insist my doctor to test me. It is now under control with meds but I felt like hell for a few weeks there.

Good luck to you and CONGRATULATIONS on finishing.
Kim

[fsplink]

I'm so happy for honey..... It really does get better, I promise! We need to get together for speed street in Charlotte. We'll all be off that nasty treatment! It's in May and I know we'll all feel  great then. Ya'll can come and stay with us.

[Honey15637]

Ohhhh that sounds like so much fun! And,,yes May we would all be off tx and could actually be in same room together LOL  Can you imagine all 4 of us getting together on tx and trying to decide who has the remote control for tv.  What a riot! LOL  Hey thanks so much for thinking of me and yes,,,if itching would let up,,,I would be in great shape!

[jevs2]

Hey there Britgirl!

Hope you pick up this 'Good Luck' message before your big move.
Have a wonderful life in Brazil and hope you still keep in touch.
Feel connection with you somehow.
How's your Portuguese?
Am completely envious of you escaping the British winter.
Best wishes
Joanna xxxx